culture-shock

INTERNATIONALBUSINESSCULTUREInstructor:Mr.PhillipConnellyWhy?Globalization:•Manyfirmssendemployees(andtheirfamiliesabroad):1.newpartnerships(e.g.,jointventures);or2.infrastructureisbeingbuilt(e.g.,newplants).Why?Globalization:•Manylargeglobalcorporationshaveprogramswheretheyrotatetheirexecutivestopositionsoverseas.•Theseassignmentsareoftenessentialtothecareerdevelopment.Why?Globalization:•Longtermassignment:aboutthreeyears;•Short-termassignments:oneyear.Why?Globalization:•Unfortunately,companieshavefoundthatoverseasassignmentscanoftenfailwithinthefirstyear,primarilyduetocultureshock.Why?Globalization:•Differentcountrieshavedifferentcustomsandlanguages,•waysofdoingbusinessandbusinessetiquette.1.DefiningtheTerms:CultureShock(business)2.StagesofCultureShock3.ManagingCultureShock(business)Overview-ObjectivesAttributesofCulture•Language•Religion•Music•Courtesy•Legalsystems•Sports•LearnedbehaviorDefinition•Psychologicaldisorientation(mentalconfusionoranxiety);•experiencedbypeoplewhosuddenlyfindthemselveslivingandworkinginverydifferentculturalenvironments.Characteristics-business•Asenseofconfusionoverexpectedrole(job)behavior.•Asenseoflossofself-esteembecausetheinabilitytofunctioninthenewcultureresultsinanimperfectmeetingofprofessionalobjectives.Possiblescenarios(business)•AnAmericanbusinessmanaskshisFinnishcolleagueaboutthehealthofthehiswife,andheactsoffended.Importantterm•Anexpatriate(oftenshortenedtoexpat)isapersontemporarilyorpermanentlyresiding,asanimmigrant,inacountryotherthanthatoftheircitizenship.Symptomsandsigns–businesspeople•Feelingsofhelplessness•Irritability(easytoanger)•Homesickness•Boredom•Maritalstress•FamilytensionandconflictModel(Patternortheory)-CulturalAdjustmentCycle/StagesHoneymoonCultureShockAdjustmentMentalIsolationAcceptance/IntegrationStagesofCultureShockArrivalinnewcultureNormalbehaviorTimeElation1)Elation-Honeymoon•Initialreactiontoavoluntarymoveintoanewcultureorsituation•Reactions–excitement–hope–anticipation–expectationsaredeveloped–opportunitiesareassessedwithunrealisticoptimismStagesofCultureshock2.CultureShock–Challengesrisetothesurfacewithlanguage,food,housing,transportation,workenvironment3.AdjustmentStage–becomemoreself-confident,settleintoyournewroutineStagesofCultureShockArrivalinnewcultureNormalbehaviorTimeElationAnxietyStagesofCultureShockArrivalinnewcultureNormalbehaviorTimeElationAnxietyRejectionStagesofCultureshock4.MentalIsolationstage–feelingespeciallylonely,missingnativelanguageandculture.5.Acceptance/Integration–starttotrulyacceptallthehabits,customs,food,andworkcharacteristics.StagesofCultureShockArrivalinnewcultureNormalbehaviorTimeElationAnxietyRejectionRegressionReentryStagesofCultureShockArrivalinnewcultureNormalbehaviorTimeElationAnxietyRejectionRegressionReentryAcceptanceAcceptance•Thepersonbecomespartofthesocial/workplacesystem/environmentandacceptshis/herroleinit•Reactions–developmentoffriendships–emotionallysettled–socialparticipationLaterstage:Affection•Persondevelopsemotionaltiestotheculture•Reactions–supportandpromotion–pride–worktobringimprovementPositivesign•Canbeasourceofhigherlevelsofpersonalityandprofessionaldevelopment.ManagingCSinbusiness•Self-reflection–businesspeoplewhoaremostlikelytodowellabroad:(1)havearealisticunderstandingoftheproblemsandpromisesofinternationalbusiness,(2)possessanumberofimportantcross-culturalcopingskills;and(3)seetheworldmarketplaceasprovidingopportunitiesforprofessionalandpersonaldevelopment.ManagingCSinbusiness•Prepare:understandlocalculture—itsinstitutions,economic,political,andsocialsystems,anddailyliving.•Research:generalculturalconcepts,localcommunicationpatterns,culturalself-awareness,andculture-specificinformation.•Seepages209-213.ReversecultureShock•Occursuponreentryintocultureoforigin.•ThepersonexperiencesfeelingsofhomelessnessActivity•Whatcanbusinessmanagersdotominimizetheeffectsofcultureshock?Activity•ABritishbusinesscolleague,andfriend,isonalongtermassignmenttoBeijing.•Yourfriendisshowingsymptomsofcultureshock.Describetypicalsymptomsofcultureshockandwhatadviceyouwouldgiveyourfriendtoovercomethem.